Pulwama attack: US supports India's right to self-defence, offers help to bring perpetrators to justice

24 hours after the Pulwama terror attack, US National Security Advisor (NSA) John Bolton in a telephone conversation with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval extended support to New Delhi's "right to self-defence against cross border terrorism" and offered assistance to bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a release, the minister of external affairs (MEA) said, "Ambassador Bolton supported India's right to self-defence against cross-border terrorism. He offered all assistance to India to bring the perpetrators and backers of the attack promptly to justice. NSA Doval appreciated U.S. support."

Both the NSAs "vowed to work together" to ensure that Pakistan "cease to be a safe haven" for Jaish-e-Muhammad (JEM) and other terrorist groups.

Jaish-e-Muhammad claimed responsibility for the terror attack.

India and US also "resolved to hold Pakistan to account" for its "obligations under UN resolutions and to remove all obstacles to designating" JeM leader Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

India approached United Nation Security Council's 1267 Committee in 2016 to designate Azhar as a global terrorist but Bejing blocked it citing lack of consensus.

The United States was one of the first countries to condemn the terror attack and called out Pakistan not to provide safe haven to terrorists. The White House in a statement called on "Pakistan to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil, whose only goal is to sow chaos, violence, and terror in the region."

The US state department in a statement said, "The UN designated, Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad has claimed responsibility for this heinous act. We call on all countries to uphold their responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe haven and support for terrorists."

Earlier, in a tweet, US Secretary of state, Mike Pompeo said, "The U.S. condemns yesterday’s horrific terror attack on Indian security forces. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We stand with #India as it confronts terrorism. Pakistan must not provide safe haven for terrorists to threaten international security."